"They were doing what, sir?" asked Crewman Cutler, almost coming to
her feet in surprise and anger. Phlox tugged her back by her sleeve. He
was resting comfortably on his bed and feeling rather drained, but no worse
for wear.

"Our visitors made some images and rifled through some of the ship's
stores. They didn't take anything, and no one received more than bumps
or bruises. I would say that your cracked ribs were the worst of the injuries."
Captain Archer told them.

"There was once a saying, 'leave only footprints, take only pictures'.
I think that's what their mission was, so to speak." said Trip, who had
accompanied the captain to sickbay after the alien vessel departed.

"You mean they were tourists?" asked Cutler in disbelief.

"Tourists? Yes, I suppose they were after a fashion." said Archer, smiling
and resisting the urge to laugh. Cutler still looked a little angry, but
after what had happened or rather what had nearly happened, he could hardly
blame her.

"That word is going to have a whole new meaning for me now." groaned
the crewman, touching her sore ribs.

"I can imagine, crewman, but according to the doc, you handled yourself
pretty well." the captain told her.

"That she did." agreed Phlox before stifling a yawn.

"Do you need some sleep, doc?" questioned Commander Tucker.

"Just a few hours." he answered with a smile.

"Come on, Trip. They both probably need some rest."

"Yes, sir." replied the engineer, who had a few things that needed repairs
minor.

Crewman Cutler finally stood up and looked down at Phlox, who was reclining
comfortably.

"I suppose this is good-night then." she said.

"Good-night, crewman." said Phlox. She turned to go, but before she
could leave the alcove, he said, "Wait a minute."

"Yes?"

"About today ..." he began awkwardly.

"The hugging, the touching? It won't happen again. I'm sorry."

"No, no, crewman." he said, sighing and looking away for a moment. "I
learned to deal with talking during meals. I even learned to like it. I
speak to my bat, just like Captain Archer speaks to his canine. Maybe I
can learn to deal with the human custom of touching too." he told her.